Why do we do, when we know what we know?

Why do we do, when we know what we know? It would be pretty easy if we could learn something mentally or read a book and change overnight but it doesn’t happen does it. We are complex beings and can take on mental constructs so easily, but applying them is different. It’s not for lack of wanting or trying, but often not understanding the depth of being human and the support and nurturing required. 

I remember being really shocked when I found out one of the most addictive substances on the planet is human emotion. If you’ve read any Dr Joe Dispenza books you may have come across this. So if we experienced a lot of anxiety as a child, we become addicted to the feeling of anxiety. It’s our normal. And so even when we want to feel calm after reading a self help book, our subconscious is seeking out a situation to feel anxious about.

This is me! My mum bless her was full of anxiety when I was growing up. As kids we’d even tease her that if she didn’t have something to worry about, she’d find something. As a child my nervous system was regulating to hers. So feel anxious is a default for me.

Fast forward 20 years later and I was suffering from adrenal fatigue from all that underlying anxiety and that’s when I need to seek out help.

The reason why reading a book alone doesn’t help is that is doesn’t generally get into our subconscious mind. Our Conscious mind is 5% - the Subconscious mind is 95%!! So you can be saying affirmations until your blue in the face but if you’re not reaching your subconscious mind.

So you can read a book and mentally try to change, but then your body is so addicted to the body chemicals associated with anxiety it keeps seeking out those situations. 

However we can change. We have neuroplasticity. But this requires working at a deeper level and also working with compassion and understanding why the anxiety felt safe at one point, it was a coping mechanism and now it doesn’t need to run the show anymore. So this is a multifaceted approach of understanding, reprogramming, and having patience and acceptance. Meditation is a vital so as to develop metacognition and awareness of our patterns and help us to connect to our inner divine will and strengthen it so we can start to ‘catch’ when we’re being subconsciously pulled into an old habit. 

Depending on how long I’m working with someone I often create bespoke yoga nidra practices specific to them to work with the subconscious mind, as well as meditations to strengthen metacognition and embodiment practices to connect with and be more aware of feelings within the body. 

You can find out more about mentoring with me HERE book in a free chat about mentoring with me HERE